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Bernard Butler wins Brits producer award

Former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler has won the top prize at 2009's Music Producers' Guild Awards, which also doubles as a 2009 Brit award.

Butler has recently produced for recent albums by Duffy, Sharleen Spiteri, Black Kids and Tricky.

Duffy was at the ceremony to hand Butler his trophy and the Brit statue for best producer.

The guitarist-turned-producer beat Brian Eno, who has recently worked with U2 and Coldplay, and Steve Mac, who has produced albums for Leona Lewis, Boyzone and Il Divo.

Butler and Duffy performing Rockferry, which Butler also co-wrote

At the ceremony, Butler said artists liked him because he knew what they wanted and how they thought. Producing was a difficult task, but added that there was a "great prize" on offer.

"Not these [awards] - I mean the prize of making a great record that moves somebody. I'm completely devotional about that idea. I have been since I was a kid.

"Pop music has currency that goes beyond lots of other art forms. If you can help lift somebody for three minutes out of a dreary existence then I think that's a major achievement."

Eno, Elbow, Danger Mouse also honoured

At the same awards, Brian Eno collected the Music Producers' Guild (MPG) trophy, in the shape of a golden microphone.

"It's actually a really big honour to be presented with a prize by your peers," said Eno. "Especially when there are so many of them in the room that you admire and whose work you follow."

Elbow won two prizes - best UK album for The Seldom Seen Kid and best UK single for One Day Like This. Both were produced by Elbow's keyboard player Craig Potter. The award for international producer of the year went to Gnarls Barkley's Danger Mouse, who has also produced for Gorillaz, Beck and Martina Topley-Bird. Calvin Harris, best-known for his hit collaboration with Dizzee Rascal, won the prize for best remixer.

The Music Producers' Guild awards, 2009

Producer Of The Year: Bernard Butler Recording Engineer Of The Year: James TowlerBest Mix Engineer: Cenzo TownshendBest Mastering Engineer: Ray StaffBest International Producer Of The Year: Danger MouseBest Live Album Of The Year: Girls Aloud, Tangled Up Live At The O2UK Album Of The Year: Elbow, The Seldom Seen KidUK Single Of The Year: Elbow, One Day Like ThisThe Joe Meek Award For Innovation In Production: Brian EnoBest Re-mixer: Calvin HarrisBest Newcomer: Paul EpworthBest Studio: British Grove StudiosUnsung Hero: Andy McBrideMusic Producers Guild Special Recognition Award: Chris Blair